Increases the threshholds for local contracts which must be awarded to the lowest responsible bidder

Title of bill

An act to amend the general municipal law, in relation to the awarding of contracts, payments by contractors to subcontractors and local government procurement practices

Purpose

To give local governments more flexibility with respect to contracts.

Summary of provisions

Section one - amends subdivision 1 of section 103 of the general municipal law, as amended by chapter 741 of the laws of 2005 to make permanent the existing authorization to use electronic bidding tools and to raise the competitive bidding thresholds from $10,000 to $20,000 for commodities and from $20,000 to $50,000 for public works projects.

Section two - adds three new subdivisions 1-b, 1-c and 16 of section 103 of the general municipal law to allow contracts for services to be awarded on the basis of "best value" rather than lowest bid; to allow for purchasing of information technology products and services through cooperative purchasing under the federal general services administration information technology schedule 70 or successor schedules; and to allow localities to purchase materials, equipment and supplies through certain contracts let by other states and local governments.

Section three - contains the effective date.

Justification

This legislation will provide fiscal relief and increased operational flexibility for local governments by: (1) making permanent the existing authorization to use electronic bidding tools; (2) increasing the competitive bidding thresholds from $10,000 to $20,000 for commodities and from $20,000 to $50,000 for public works projects; (3) allowing contracts for services to be awarded on the basis of "best value" rather than lowest bid; (4) allowing purchasing of information technology products and services through cooperative purchasing under the federal General Services Administration Information Technology Schedule 70 or successor schedules; and (5) allowing localities to purchase materials, equipment and supplies through. certain contracts let by other states and local governments.

Legislative history

2008: S.7658 Passed Senate - This legislation was also included in the legislation was included in the 2009-09 Executive budget.

Fiscal implications

None to the State.

Local fiscal implications

This legislation would provide fiscal relief and increased operational flexibility for local governments.

Effective date

This act shall take effect immediately provided that the amendments to subdivision 1 of section 103 of the general municipal law made by section one of this act shall not affect the expiration of such subdivision and shall be deemed to expire therewith.